And thank you lovely readers for your response. Some of the questions left beneath the post were a little off topic and it started to turn into a clinic - so I hope you don't mind but I'm going to cherry pick the ones that I am genuinely asked regularly, not the 'please fix everything in my routine' ones.
Starting with...
Are all the products that your recommend suitable for teenage skins?
No. The main things you need at this age are a decent cleanser, possibly a very mild exfoliating toner if you are suffering from spots/acne and a moisturiser followed by SPF. You could add a mild, gentle exfoliating powder to the mix if you don't particularly need the acid toners.
You do not need retinols in your teens. You do not need expensive 'anti-ageing' serums. We older folks use those to attempt to get something like the skin you've already got. Save your money.
Keep it clean, keep it exfoliated and keep it moisturised and protected.
Don't smoke.
Don't become a sugar addict.
And most of all, embrace everything that is good about yourself, don't obsess about things you don't like about yourself.
And unrelated to skincare: Girls. If he wants to know where you are all the time and who you talk to/hang out with, he's not a boyfriend, he's a pimp. It's not romantic, it's wrong. Kick him to the kerb.
Sorry if this is a double post, not sure if the other posted. Would pixi glow tonic and serozinc be okay for a 19 y/o or unnecessary? I have dehydrated combination skin with MAHOOSIVE breakouts on my forehead at the minute. Any suggestions on these volcanos that have erupted upon my face? Is origins super spot remover any good? Thanks! x
ReplyDeleteI do appreciate your post but there are many of us out there that wanna look good and probably some teens may use serums . I am not offering to use anti-aging serums but sebum regulating or something like that, or at least hydrating and a face oil I mean it depends at what age that teen is. Someone above 16 can start using more products I would say. But it's my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI know it seems silly but should I be using an eye cream? I'm 17 but have wrinkles under my eyes a lot worse than others my age!!
ReplyDeleteI love the unrelated advice :D SO many girls need it.
ReplyDeleteHi Caroline, I have a question. Do you have any recommendations for skin prone to redness? I don't (think I) have full-on rosacea, but my face, especially in the cheek area, is red almost all the time. Are there products that can help with this, or diet changes maybe? Anything at all that I can do? Thank you for all your help!
ReplyDeleteI personally use the rosaliac intense localized redness serum just in the areas I have redness and noticed a massive difference! Not the cheapest, but extremely affective!
DeleteWhen we talk about masks I feel like we primarily focus on exfoliating/clay/drawing out impurities/cleansing masks. I love them, however they are the only ones I use and I feel like my skin sometimes needs something more calming/soothing/regenerating/nourishing/hydrating. Could you recommend some masks for those purposes? Or is it better to use oils and serums for those purposes? I have oily combination skin. Thank you xxxx
ReplyDeleteDo you have a magic time machine to take me back to my teens when I used to remove makeup with an acne wash, and was always in the sun? I'll pay...
ReplyDeleteWhere were you when I was a teen! My mom knew nothing about skincare - I was a Noxema teen who put Nivea on her face. Thankfully I was most blessed with good skin in those days, but still... yeesh.
ReplyDeleteAs for that last sentence - could have used that on in my early twenties. Kicked to the curb eventually, but not before some life lessons happened.
Reading about teenage skin got me thinking. I'm turning 29 next week. I cleanse well, exfoliate, and use a good moisturizer, but if there were any one thing you would recommend a person in her late 20s/early 30s should be doing or product she should be using, what would it be?
ReplyDeleteHow often should retinols be used?
ReplyDeleteHow should SR Good Genes be used?
Love the unrelated to skincare advice :D but I disagree with you, Caroline. I heard that using retinol and everything when you still young can actually help to prevent wrinkles. I´ts unfortunately to late for me though.
ReplyDeleteBut perhaps in the 20 ' s young as opposed to teens
DeleteCurrently on roaccutane,working a treat!! Recomendations on how to look after my skin at the Moment (side effects= very dehydrated and dry red actually cracked eyes EW) and how to help my severe marks now and after I finish (I'm 3/4 months in and all real 'acne' gone) however after several rounds of acne all worse than before and antibiotics and harsh treatments my skin underneath (even though Im not oily with blackheads and so on) is battered to death basically hahaha (my own fault) thankyou so much xx
ReplyDeleteI have a question - should you use an acid exfoliator when you are using a treatment like Sunday Riley Good Genes? Good Genes already packs quite a punch on its own. Would that be over doing it? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWell I did nothing in my teens actually! I barely used makeup, so no cleansers and creams (although I'm not entirely sure if I did well)! Thankfully I had only hormonal related acne and always a dermatologist at hand (due to my psoriasis), so she prescribed me Dalacin C, which is probably the only thing that works on my pimples!
ReplyDeleteAna
Hi Caroline, thanks so much for all your invaluable advice. Just wondering what your opinion is on the skincare range 'paula's choice'? I'm currently using the Skin balancing moisture gel? Is it ok or is it full of silicone? Many thanks
ReplyDeleteGosh your kids have a fantastic role model with the most amazing skin!
ReplyDeleteAre there any cleansers that would be good for oily/combo skin that are £10-20 that you would recomend?
ReplyDeleteThanks
Great advice thank you! I always wonder how i'm ever going to be able to afford expensive serums but at least now I know x
ReplyDeletewww.kacytalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk
What about a teenagers (I'm 19, still in this category?) with acne scarres -- do you reccomend serums and products directed at that, or wait 'till I'm older? It bothers me so much. I'm currently using a first aid beauty-serum, but have also used Ole Henriksen the orange, vitaminC, brightening range. Ok for teenagers? Sellers only want to sell me harsh-products.
ReplyDeleteOle Henriksen doesn't work well for acne scars. tested ! Use good genes or mild acids and wait.
DeleteHi Caroline
ReplyDeleteGreat extra advice!!!!!!! I used to work in a transition house for women and children fleeing domestic violence. If women got the message when they were young about healthy relationships maybe some people could avoid some painful long term consequences. A video topic maybe?? There is help.
Could you perhaps do a more thorough post on teen/young skin? For a lot us (16-25), a good cleanser, a mild acid toner and moisturiser isn't enough; the spots/acne/unevenness/redness/oiliness/dryness/dehydrated skin (sometimes only one or two of the aforementioned, though usually all at once) will mostly only become slightly milder. Perchance it's all down to the hormones and nothing can be done about it, in which case I'll allow myself a piece of the bar of dark chocolate that was been waiting patiently for hasty consumption. However, if there is something that can be done about it, I'm all ears and eager to follow all and any advice you might have.
ReplyDeleteRest assured, though! Although I may resemble something out of a Grimm tale at times, I wear my pimples proud - if not for my own remembering that I am much more than just skin covered in red, goo-filled dots and with an overly active oil production, then to remind my mum that 'young skin' doesn't necessarily mean 'flawless skin' and that the beautiful little wrinkles she gets around her eyes when she smiles really aren't that big of a deal.
All the best to you in the new year and thank you for your lovely blog!
Could you do a cheat sheet for teens? Or do you do skin consultations for teens? I am 18 and have always suffered with spots but for the last 2 years my skin just doesn't feel like skin. It is rough and bumpy with blackheads, pimples you name it! I drink lots of water and use REN products but nothing seems to help. I don't know what to do - I would love to see you to get your help x
ReplyDeleteBravo! Perfect advice.
ReplyDeleteCaroline, I'm twenty does this rule still apply? When should I start using oils and serums?
ReplyDeleteCaroline, I deligently apply Vitamin C serums, retinoids, acids + enzymes, coq10, resveratrol, niacinamide, I'm almost 17. Is this doing me any damage? Im also a balm cleanser, mask addict, and facial oil obsessive? The retinol is Indeed Labs, The vitamin c serum is 20% and the acids are 10% glycolic, 20% lactic and 2% salicylic. I use Clinique Cleansing balm, lots of exfoliating masks and the Olay Regenerist/Regenerist Luminous range, L'Oreal and Vichy for serums and moisturisers. + Hydraluron. Too hard for now?
ReplyDeleteSTOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING ! STOOP !!!!! You don't need retinoids ! what are you ? 27 ? Girl don't damage your skin !
DeleteCaroline how do you get rid of RED not brown or black but RED acne scars? And is 17 toooo Young to use a glycolic mask?
ReplyDeleteGo for mandalic acid instead. I used it when I was 17 but Mrs Hirons wouldn't recommend I guess. It depends on the %. Avene has one I guess it's 5% should be fine
DeleteBlackheads. How on earth do you get rid of blackheads?
ReplyDelete" if you have blackheads on your nose and the rest of your face is clean - stop worrying about them" - C. Hirons Dublin's Space.NK opening * I am not sure if the quote says what she exactly said but you get her point*
DeleteHi Caroline! I've scoured your website to find a solution for my skin issues, even sifting through your online clinics a year or two back to see if you've perhaps left answers here and there. I deal with an incredibly oily t-zone, it will usually quickly grease up after only three hours of cleansing my face. I do sometimes forget to drink as much water as I'm supposed to (I know! I know! But I've been trying my absolute best lately, promise). I get quite a number of blackheads, mainly the t-zone area and sometimes a cluster will form near my ear area. Also, I have the weird under-the-skin spots, it covers my entire forehead, you can't squeeze them, they're rarely red nor are they sore. They stay there for ages, sometimes they turn into whiteheads and sometimes blackheads. These make my forehead incredibly bumpy and I get so insecure. I never get the massively awful and painful acne. Can you please help?
ReplyDeleteThank you Caroline, my daughter is nearly 15 and gets occasional spots. Would you recommend a mask at all and what acids should she use? Many thanks! x
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your advices and all the work you put in your blog and your Youtube channel. I really appreciate it. Since I ''know'' you, I buy a lot more, but my buy are way better. I have no regret, everything I buy after your recommendations I am always satisfied. You are professional and funny. And plus, you are beautiful. Thank you, you are the best.
I have some questions. I do not know if you will find them interesting but I would like to know the answer.
- If you are on a budget and you have to choose if you buy a serum or an oil, which one do you buy?
- If you buy both, you put the serum first and after the oil, is it necessary to put a moisturizer after?
I am 20 and I want to buy the Good genes or the Artemis oil or both.
Thank you, have a nice day!
Your advice has been so helpful to me trying to find what's best for me skin, however I have not yet fully implemented all type of products, for example Liquid Gold, because I am pregnant. Would you consider Liquid Gold to be safe to use while breastfeeding?
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the hard work you put in for us!
Your Cheat Sheets are absolute lifesavers!
ReplyDeleteI don't suppose you could recommend any cleansers for acne prone combination skin? (Acne only in T-zone). I have been using Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel but I feel it's possibly too stripping (in the Summer it's okay but this Winter it has proved too drying). Because of this I tried Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, which broke me out horrifically. I'm very wary of trying any new products because of this reason. I could do with something that cleanses well and doesn't leave residue, but doesn't strip if possible. Many thanks for your expertise, it's greatly appreciated!
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ReplyDeleteHI Caroline,
ReplyDeleteI have just recently discovered you and your blog and can honestly say, you have changed the way I look at skincare-after having just turned 40! I wondered would you do a cheat sheet for teens or recommend some actual products for them, esp. those that have a few more spots than they need/want...I would be forever grateful and so would my lovely, wonderful 14 yr old who is having a hard time with her skin.